The Russellville Police Department (RPD) launched a new feature on its website Wednesday that allows residents to view mugshots, birthdates and address blocks of sex offenders residing in Russellville.

“The purpose of this site is to bring information to the community and to allow them to see where sex offenders are in their community,” said RPD Public Information Office Drew Latch.

The site displays levels 3 and 4 sex offenders, and level 2 offenders who were 18 years or older and committed a crime against a minor 14 years or younger. The higher level an offender has, the more likely they are to re-offend, Latch said.

Of the 56 sex offenders living in Russellville, the site features 31. Of the 31 offenders on the site, 12 are level 3 offenders and the rest are level 2. The offender’s convicted level is also displayed underneath their mugshot.

Before entering the site, visitors are required to agree to RPD’s terms of service, which includes agreeing not to use information on the site for criminal intent.

“If you hop on this site, you will be watched,” Latch said. “And if you try to retaliate against these people, we will be able to track you through the site.”

Latch said he doesn’t feel the site will add any danger to the offenders, as it doesn’t give exact addresses.

Outgoing PIO Officer Joshua McMillian said the site will help RPD’s process of notifying residents of sex offenders moving into the area.

“One of the reasons they’ve gone to this is to help with the (community’s) education process,” McMillian said. “We have to go door-to-door and drop stuff off, but you’re not guaranteed somebody’s going to be there.”

Latch said the site will be updated as offenders move or as new offenders are convicted.

“They have national (sex offender) sites, but this is going to be more precise and up to date,” he said.

RPD Police Chief Thomas McMillen commended the work of IT employee Andy Cochran for building the site, along with detectives from RPD.

The sex offender registry may be viewed at RPD’s website, www.russellvillearkansas.org/rpd/RPDhome.asp.